PSL 8: Lahore, Rawalpindi matches likely to be shifted to Karachi

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has called an emergency meeting of all PSL franchise owners on Friday at 3 pm, in order to decide the fate of PSL matches scheduled to take place in Lahore and Rawalpindi.

The meeting will take place via video conference call and the agenda will be to decide whether to shift the PSL 8 matches, scheduled in Rawalpindi and Lahore, to Karachi. PCB representative have confirmed the development.

According to sources, the interim Punjab government has demanded PKR500 million from PCB to conduct the matches in Lahore and Rawalpindi. The board has already paid PKR50 million to Punjab government for expenses on food.

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The provincial government is now demanding the remaining PKR450 million for lighting and security purposes.

PCB will not have to pay the aforementioned expenses, in case the matches are shifted to Karachi.

In order to save these expenses, the board is now considering to shift the Punjab-leg of PSL 8 to Karachi.

Sources further added that the emergency meeting will decide as to who will borne these expenses, if PCB decides to go ahead with the matches in Punjab.

The PSL 8 action from Karachi and Multan is supposed to shift to the Gaddafi Stadium and Pindi Cricket Stadium, where the matches are scheduled to be played from 26 February to 19 March. This includes the Qualifier, two Eliminators and the final at the home of Pakistan cricket from 15-19 March.

Rawalpindi is scheduled host 11 matches this season, while nine matches will take place in Lahore.